Impeller with auger for an agricultural machine

ABSTRACT

A harvesting header of an agricultural machine includes a frame, a cutting mechanism coupled to the frame and configured to cut crop, an auger rotatably coupled to the frame at a location rearward of the cutting mechanism, and an impeller rotatably coupled to the frame at a location rearward of the auger. The impeller is configured to receive crop from the auger and condition the cut crop. The crop is projected by the auger in a rearward and upward direction relative to the impeller.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/706,873, filed Sep. 18, 2017, which claimspriority to U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 62/414,299, filed Oct. 28,2016, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference intheir entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to depositing a swath of cut crop, and inparticular, to a system and method of improving aspiration of cut crop.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

In the hay and forage industry, an agricultural machine such as aself-propelled windrower may be used to cut hay and forage crop forfeeding livestock. During operation, the crop is cut and then may beconditioned where it is crimped (i.e., the plant stem may be broken opento release moisture). It is desirable to reduce an amount of time ittakes for hay or other crop to dry down, i.e., to dry or reduce moisturefrom the plant or crop. A faster dry down time can result in less timebetween cutting and baling the crop, which can further minimize risk tothe crop while sitting in the field.

One example of reducing dry down time is to spread the crop as wide aspossible to maximize the exposure of the crop to the sun, wind, andsurrounding environment. In doing so, moisture from the crop canevaporate quicker. A limitation to this approach, however, occurs when amowing assembly (e.g., rotary platform, a mower conditioner, a discmower, etc.) is used to cut the crop. This is particularly true if thewindrow or swath of cut crop is too wide such that a tractor wheel runsover a portion of the crop. If the crop is run over by the wheel, thecrop can be packed down and thus its dry down time can be much longer.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a mower-conditionerassembly of a self-propelled windrower includes a frame; a cuttingmechanism coupled to the frame and configured to cut crop; a conditionerrotatably coupled to the frame at a location rearward of the cuttingmechanism, the conditioner configured to crimp the crop; and a flufferassembly rotatably coupled to the frame at a location rearward of theconditioner, the fluffer assembly including at least an elongated rolland a crop moving element; wherein, crop is projected from theconditioner to the fluffer assembly and directed to the ground; furtherwherein, the fluffer assembly configured to fluff the crop.

In one example of this embodiment, the fluffer assembly includes animpeller with a plurality of tines projecting from the elongated roll.In a second example, the elongated roll comprises a rough outer surface.In a third example, the crop moving element includes a plurality ofbrushes projecting from the elongated roll. In a fourth example of thisembodiment, the crop moving element is pivotally coupled to theelongated roll.

In a fifth example, a fluffing roll hood may be positioned above thefluffer assembly, wherein crop is projected from the conditioner andpasses through a gap defined between the fluffer assembly and hood. In asixth example, a deflector is pivotally coupled to the frame fordirecting the flow of crop from the fluffer assembly in a forwarddirection, a rearward direction, or a downward direction. In anotherexample, the deflector partially surrounds the fluffer assembly todirect the flow of crop in a forward and downward direction. In afurther example, a shield directs the flow of crop in a rearwarddirection to form a windrow arrangement on an underlying surface.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, an agriculturalmachine, includes a windrower including a main frame, a front axle, anda first set of wheels coupled to the front axle; a mower-conditionerassembly coupled to a front end of the windrower, the mower-conditionerassembly including a frame and a cutting mechanism coupled to the framefor cutting crop; a conditioner rotatably coupled to the frame at alocation rearward of the cutting mechanism, the conditioner configuredto crimp the crop; and a fluffer assembly rotatably coupled to the frameat a location rearward of the conditioner, the fluffer assemblyincluding at least an elongated roll and a crop moving elementconfigured to move the crop.

In one example of this embodiment, the fluffer assembly is rotatablycoupled to the frame at a location near the front axle; and cropprojected by the crop moving element falls on an underlying surface at alocation rearward of the first set of wheels. In a second example, afirst auger located between the cutting mechanism and the conditioner;and a second auger located between the conditioner and the flufferassembly. In a third example, the fluffer assembly is rotatably coupledto the frame at a location forward of the front axle.

In a fourth example of this embodiment, the fluffer assembly includes animpeller with a plurality of tines projecting from the elongated roll ora plurality of brushes projecting from the elongated roll. In a fifthexample, the elongated roll includes a rough outer surface. In a sixthexample, a fluffing roll hood is positioned above the fluffer assembly,wherein crop is projected from the conditioner and passes through a gapdefined between the fluffer assembly and hood. In another example, adeflector is pivotally coupled to the frame for directing the flow ofcrop from the fluffer assembly in a forward direction, a rearwarddirection, or a downward direction. In a further example, the deflectorpartially surrounds the fluffer assembly to direct the flow of crop in aforward and downward direction. In yet a further example, a shielddirects the flow of crop in a rearward direction to form a windrowarrangement on an underlying surface.

In a further embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of fluffingcrop during a mowing operation includes providing a windrower includinga cutting mechanism, a conditioner, a fluffer assembly, a deflector anda shield, the fluffer assembly including at least a fluffer roll andcrop moving element; travelling in a forward direction along anunderlying surface and cutting crop with the cutting mechanism; crimpingthe crop with the conditioner after the cutting step; projecting thecrop from the conditioner to the fluffer assembly; rotatably driving thefluffer assembly; moving the crop with the crop moving element as thefluffer assembly is rotatably driven; directing the crop in a crop flowdirection with the shield; distributing the crop on the underlyingsurface to form a windrow arrangement; and fluffing the crop during themoving step, distributing step, or both.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a harvesting header ofan agricultural machine includes a frame; a cutting mechanism coupled tothe frame and configured to cut crop; an auger rotatably coupled to theframe at a location rearward of the cutting mechanism; and an impellerrotatably coupled to the frame at a location rearward of the auger, theimpeller configured to receive crop from the auger and condition the cutcrop; wherein, crop is projected by the auger in a rearward and upwarddirection to the impeller.

In one example of this embodiment, the impeller comprises an elongateddrum and a plurality of tines, where the plurality of tines are coupledto the drum. In a second example, each of the plurality of tines arepivotally coupled to the drum via a clip. In a third example, a hoodassembly is disposed at least partially above and spaced from theimpeller to define a gap therebetween. In a fourth example, the hoodassembly is operably movable relative to the impeller to increase ordecrease a size of the gap. In a fifth example, the hood assembly ispivotable about a pivot axis relative to the impeller to increase ordecrease a size of the gap.

In a sixth example, the hood assembly comprises a swath board assemblyfor directing the crop in a rearward direction relative to the impeller.In a seventh example, at least one or more drums is coupled to the frameand suspended at least partially above and rearward of the cuttingmechanism, the one or more drums is configured to move cut crop from thecutting mechanism inwardly and rearwardly to the auger. In an eighthexample, the auger is rotatably driven about an auger axis and theimpeller is rotatably driven about an impeller axis, where the impelleraxis is located rearward of auger axis. In a ninth example, the impelleraxis is located above the auger axis.

In a tenth example, the auger comprises an elongated cylindrical rollincluding a fighting portion and an angled portion, the fighting portionconfigured to move cut crop to a center portion of the roll and theangled portion configured to move the cut crop upwardly towards theimpeller. In another example, the angled portion is located inwardly ofthe fighting portion along the roll. In yet another example, a flufferassembly is located rearwardly of the impeller.

In a further embodiment of the present disclosure, an agriculturalmachine includes a windrower or a carrier frame and tongue assembly,either of which includes a main frame, a front axle, and a first set ofwheels coupled to the front axle; a harvesting header coupled to a frontend of the windrower or carrier frame and tongue assembly, theharvesting header including a frame and a cutting mechanism coupled tothe frame for cutting crop; an auger rotatably coupled to the frame at alocation rearward of the cutting mechanism; and an impeller rotatablycoupled to the frame at a location rearward of the auger, the impellerconfigured to receive cut crop from the auger and condition the cutcrop; wherein, the auger operably directs cut crop in a rearward andupward direction to the impeller.

In one example of this embodiment, the impeller comprises an elongateddrum and a plurality of tines, where the plurality of tines are coupledto the drum. In a second example, a hood assembly is disposed at leastpartially above and spaced from the impeller to define a gaptherebetween. In a third example, the auger is rotatably driven about anauger axis and the impeller is rotatably driven about an impeller axis,where the impeller axis is located rearward of auger axis. In a fourthexample, the auger comprises an elongated cylindrical roll including afighting portion and an angled portion, the fighting portion isconfigured to move cut crop to a center portion of the roll and theangled portion is configured to move the cut crop upwardly towards theimpeller.

In yet a further embodiment of the present disclosure, a method ofconditioning crop during a crop cutting operation includes providing awindrower including a cutting mechanism, an auger, an impeller, and animpeller hood assembly; travelling in a work direction along anunderlying surface and cutting crop with the cutting mechanism; movingthe cut crop from the cutting mechanism inwardly and rearwardly by theauger; projecting the cut crop upwardly via the auger to the impeller;directing the cut crop through a gap defined between the impeller andthe impeller hood assembly; and conditioning the crop as it passesthrough the gap.

In one example of this embodiment, the projecting step may includedischarging the cut crop in an upward and rearward direction by anangled portion of the auger; and the directing step may includerotatably moving the cut crop by a plurality of tines of the impellerthrough the gap and discharging the conditioned crop onto the underlyingsurface rearward of the impeller.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned aspects of the present disclosure and the manner ofobtaining them will become more apparent and the disclosure itself willbe better understood by reference to the following description of theembodiments of the disclosure, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side front perspective view of a self-propelledmower-conditioner assembly;

FIG. 2 is a partial side schematic view of a mower-conditioner assemblyand a fluffer roll assembly;

FIG. 3 is a partial side schematic view of a mower-conditioner assemblyand a fluffer roll assembly for a rear throw;

FIG. 4 is a partial side schematic view of a mower-conditioner assemblyand a fluffer roll assembly for a rear and downward throw;

FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of a first embodiment of a flufferroll;

FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of a second embodiment of a flufferroll;

FIG. 7 is a partial side schematic view of a mower-conditioner assemblyand a fluffer roll assembly for a forward throw;

FIG. 8 is a side perspective view of a third embodiment of a flufferroll;

FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of a harvesting header with an augerand impeller;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional side view of the harvesting header of FIG.9; and

FIG. 11 is a side perspective view of an impeller.

Corresponding reference numerals are used to indicate correspondingparts throughout the several views.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The embodiments of the present disclosure described below are notintended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the preciseforms in the following detailed description. Rather, the embodiments arechosen and described so that others skilled in the art may appreciateand understand the principles and practices of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 1, a conventional self-propelled mower-conditioner 10is operable to mow and collect standing crop in a field, condition thecut crop as it moves through the machine to improve its dryingcharacteristics, and then return the conditioned material to the fieldin a windrow or swath. The windrower 10 includes a main frame 12supported on driven right and left front wheels 14R and 14L,respectively and on right and left caster mounted rear wheels, of whichonly a left rear wheel 16L is shown. Carried on a forward end region ofthe frame 12 is a cab 18. Mounted on the frame 12 behind the cab 18 is ahousing 20 within which is located a power source (not shown) such as aninternal combustion engine. A harvesting header 22 is coupled, in awell-known manner, so as to be supported by the forward end of the frame12. Operator controls (not shown) are provided in the cab 18 foroperation of the mower-conditioner 10, including the attached harvestingheader 22.

The harvesting header 22 could take many configurations but is hereshown as including a rotary disc cutter bar 24 that delivers cut crop toa following crop converging auger 26 that delivers crop rearward into adischarge passage for further processing by a crop conditioningarrangement including upper and lower crop conditioner rolls 30 and 32,respectively. Conditioned crop is expelled to the rear by theconditioner rolls 30 and 32 and is formed into a windrow by uprightright and left, windrow forming panels (not shown) which are supportedby a top wall of an open-bottomed housing 34 located between the frontwheels 14R and 14L.

The rotary disc cutter bar 24 includes an elongate gear housing 36supporting a plurality of cutter discs 38 for rotation, with gearing(not shown) located within the housing 36 being arranged in a mannerwell known in the art so that the cutter discs 38 located rightward alongitudinal center line X are driven counterclockwise by a hydraulicfluid motor 40R coupled to the rightmost cutter disc 38, while thecutter discs 38 located leftward of the center line X are drivenclockwise by a hydraulic fluid motor 40L coupled to the leftmost cutterdisc 38. This is described herein as one embodiment, and it will beappreciated that other embodiments of disc rotation may be different.The control and other aspects of the conventional windrower 10 arefurther described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,179,600 to Deere and Company, whichis incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.

In a different embodiment of the present disclosure, an agriculturalmachine such as a self-propelled windrower, mower-conditioner, or otherhay mowing machine may be used to further “fluff” the crop after it iscut and conditioned to improve its dry down time. It is desirable to“fluff” the crop or provide a “fluffy” windrow to promote airflowthrough the crop to remove moisture and allow for additional sunexposure to penetrate the inside of the windrow to enhance the cropdrying time. In this embodiment, an additional roller may beincorporated to fluff the crop. An example of this is shown in FIG. 2.Here, a partial schematic of a self-propelled windrower 200 is shownwith some features that are similarly shown in FIG. 1. The windrower 200may include a front axle 202 to which a pair of front wheels 204 (onlyone is shown) may be rotatably mounted. The front axle 202, however, mayinclude two hydraulically drive assemblies. In a different embodiment, aconditioner may be optional and is not required. The machine may includea fluffer assembly without a conditioner.

A mower-conditioner assembly or rotary platform 206 may be coupled tothe front or forward end of the windrower 200 as shown, and duringoperation, the platform 206 is pushed by the windrower mowing the crop.The platform 206 may include a frame 208 to which a cutter bar 210 iscoupled. The cutter bar 210 may be any conventional cutter bar withrotary discs or knives for cutting the crop. An auger 212 may berearward of the cutter bar 210. The auger 212 may peel or otherwise helpremove crop from the cutter bar 210 and move the crop to a conditionerassembly 214. In the illustrated embodiment, the conditioner assembly214 may include a pair of rolls 216, 218 for conditioning the crop. Inanother embodiment, the conditioner assembly 214 may include an impellerwith a plurality of tines and a conditioner hood. Other conditionerassemblies may be used, and this disclosure is not limited to any typeof conditioner assembly. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the two rolls 216,218 may be rotatably driven such that crop passes therebetween and iscrimped by the rolls as it exits the conditioner assembly 214.

Once the crop is crimped by the conditioner assembly 214, it is flung orthrown rearwardly toward a fluffing assembly 220. The fluffing assembly220 may include a roll with a plurality of tines 222 similar to animpeller. The roll may be rotatably driven to catch the crop as it exitsthe conditioner assembly 214, and then further moves the crop rearwardtoward the front axle 202. The crop may be partially pinched orcompressed between the fluffing assembly 220 and a fluffing roll hood224 as shown in FIG. 2. Moreover, a deflector 226 may be disposedrearward of the hood 224 for directing the crop flow further rearward.The angle or position of the deflector 226 may be operably adjusted bythe operator of the windrower. The crop may be thrown rearward andfurther directed by one or more shields 228, as shown in FIG. 2. Theshields 228 may be pivotally coupled to the frame 208 via hinges 230 sothat the angle at which the shields 228 are oriented may be adjustable.

The fluffing action may take place as the crop contacts the ground,which may partially be attributable to a rotational speed of thefluffing assembly 220. In one example, the “fluffed” crop may have aheight on the ground of several inches greater than crop that is notsubject to the fluffing action.

The fluffing assembly 220 may be rotatably driven by any known drivemechanism including chain drive, belt drive, mechanical drive, hydraulicdrive, electric drive, or a combination thereof. The fluffing assembly220 may be rotatably driven at a speed that is different from theconditioner assembly 214. Alternatively, the two assemblies may berotatably driven at about the same speed.

The fluffing rolls of the fluffing assembly may take a variety of shapesand sizes. In some instances, the design of the roll may depend onwhether the crop is thrown rearward or forward by the fluffing assembly.In FIG. 3, for example, the fluffing assembly 220 may be designed forthrowing or moving the crop rearward toward the front axle 202 of themachine. In this manner, a rearward flow path 300 of the crop is shown.In a first portion 302 of the flow path 300, the crop is cut by thecutter bar 210 and is picked up by the auger 212. As the auger 212rotates, the crop may be moved rearward along a second portion 304 ofthe path 300 by the auger 212 to the conditioning assembly 214. Here,the crop passes between the two rolls 216, 218 and is crimped. As itexits the rolls, the crop moves along a third section 306 of the pathtoward the fluffing assembly 220. As it does, a tine 222 or other cropmoving element contacts the crop and moves it along a third section 308of the path 300.

As the crop moves along the third section 308, it may contact the hood224. The fluffing assembly 220 may further move the crop rearward andthrows it in the rearward direction along a fourth section 310 of thepath 300. Here, the crop may engage or be directed by the deflector 226.In this embodiment, the deflector 226 is oriented in an upper positionso that the crop is moved rearward in a substantially longitudinaldirection toward the front axle 202. As it does so, the crop movesrearward along a fifth section 312 of the flow path 300 and may befurther directed by the shielding 228 until a windrow is left on theground.

In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the fluffer roll or assembly 220 canexecute a fluffing action to further fluff the crop. The roll, however,may not perform any conditioning function, as this is done by theconditioning assembly 214. In other embodiments, it may be possible forthe fluffing roll to have a design or characteristics to carry outfurther conditioning or crimping of the crop.

Referring to FIG. 4, a different embodiment of a rearward crop flow path400 is shown. In a first portion 402 of the flow path 400, the crop iscut by the cutter bar 210 and is picked up by the auger 212. As theauger 212 rotates, the crop may be moved rearward along a second portion404 of the path 400 by the auger 212 to the conditioning assembly 214.Here, the crop passes between the two rolls 216, 218 and is crimped. Asit exits the rolls, the crop moves along a third section 406 of the pathtoward the fluffing assembly 220. As it does, a tine 222 or other cropmoving element contacts the crop and moves it along a third section 408of the path 400.

As the crop moves along the third section 408, it may contact the hood224. The fluffing assembly 220 may further move the crop rearward andthrows it in the rearward direction along a fourth section 410 of thepath 400. Here, the crop may engage or be directed by the deflector 226.In this embodiment, and unlike the embodiment of FIG. 3, the deflector226 is oriented in a lowered position so that the crop is moved rearwardand in a downward direction toward the ground or underlying surface. Asit does so, the crop moves rearward along a fifth section 412 of theflow path 400 and may be further directed by the shielding 228 until awindrow is left on the ground.

As shown, the direction in which crop is directed may be adjustablycontrolled by the orientation of the deflector 226. The deflector 226may be coupled to the hood 224 and the frame 208 of the machine 200. Inone embodiment, the operator may be able to adjust the orientation ofthe deflector 226 via controls located in the cab.

As noted above, the fluffer roll may take various forms. For example,the fluffer roll may include brushes like a street sweeper, an impellerwith tines, a tube with teeth that pivot relative thereto, a helicalrib, etc. The roll may be constructed so that crop does not easily wraparound a tine, rib, brush, or other crop moving element. The crop movingelement may also be designed so that upon contact with the crop, it doesnot damage the crop or any nutrients or protein contained in the crop.Moreover, the crop moving elements disposed on the roll may be coupledthereto at various locations so that the crop can be evenly distributedalong the ground or underlying surface. This distribution allows for thesun, wind, and surrounding environment to more easily remove moisturefrom the plant and decrease its dry down time.

In another example, the fluffer roll may be formed by an elongate tubeor shaft with one or more bars pivotally coupled thereto. The bars mayfunction like an impeller with tines. In a further example, a steel rollmay be formed with a vertically-disposed rib designed in a helicalpattern along an outer surface of the roll. Other designs are alsopossible as shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 8.

In FIG. 5, for example, an impeller-shaped fluffer roll 500 is shown.The roll 500 includes an elongated tube 502 formed of any a steel orother metal, rubber, urethane, etc. In at least one embodiment, the tube502 may be formed of a material similar to that of the conditionerrolls. In order to rotate the fluffer roll 500, a drive shaft 504 may bedisposed internal of the tube 502. A chain, belt, gear or other devicemay rotatably drive the fluffer roll 500. A hydraulic motor, forexample, may operably drive the roll 500.

The fluffer roll 500 may also include a plurality of pivot arms 506disposed on an outer surface of the tube 502. The pivot arms 506 may bedisposed in rows or columns about the outer surface. In another example,each pivot arm 506 may be angularly disposed relative to an adjacentarm. A pivot shaft 510 may be coupled to each pivot arm 506, and a tineor crop moving element 508 may be pivotally coupled to each pivot arm506 via the pivot shaft 510.

Referring to FIG. 6, a different impeller-type fluffer roll 600 isillustrated. The fluffer roll 600 may include an elongate tube or shaft602 that may be rotatably driven via a drive shaft 604. Similar to FIG.5, the roll 600 may be driven mechanically (e.g., gear, chain, belt,etc.), electrically, hydraulically, or a combination thereof. The rollmay include a plurality of pivot member 606 coupled to or integrallyformed with the tube 602. Each pivot member 606 may include a pivotshaft 608. A crop moving element be pivotally coupled to each pivotmember 606 via the pivot shaft 608.

Each crop moving element may be formed by a first arm 610 and a secondarm 612. One end of each arm may be pivotally coupled to the pivotshaft. The opposite end of each arm may be coupled to a bar 614. The bar614 may be cylindrical, rectangular, or any other known shape. In thisembodiment, the crop moving element can pivot with respect to the tube602, and the weight of the bar 614 allows the crop moving element toextend in a perpendicular direction relative to the tube 602.

In the aforementioned embodiments, the fluffer roll and fluffer assemblyhave been illustrated and described for a rearward projection of thecrop during operation. In a different embodiment, however, the flufferassembly and fluffer roll may be constructed for a forward projection ofthe crop. An example of this is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. In FIG. 7, afluffer assembly 700 may be rotatably driven about an axis in aclockwise direction. The fluffer assembly 700 may include a roll withone or more brush or crop moving elements 702 extending outwardlytherefrom. This may take a form similar to a conventional street sweeperor lawn sweeper. Alternatively, it may also take the form of abroom-like design. The brush or crop moving elements may be shorter thanthe tines 222 shown in FIG. 2. One reason for the shorter length isbecause the fluffer assembly 700 is designed for moving the crop, andnot necessarily carrying out a fluffing action. The fluffing actionoccurs more when the crop contacts the ground at a certain speed.

In some embodiments, the fluffer assembly may only be a roll without anycrop moving elements. In this embodiment, the roll may include a roughouter surface used to move the crop. In any event, the fluffer assembly700 is structured more for moving the crop along a flow path as shown inFIG. 7, rather than fluffing the crop.

The crop flow path in FIG. 7 may be defined by a plurality of sectionsor portions. In a first section 708 of the flow path, the crop is cut bythe cutter bar 210 and moves rearward toward the auger 212. In turn, theauger 212 rotates so that the crop is moved from the cutter bar 210. Theauger 212 can move the crop along a second section 710 of the flow pathand in a direction towards the conditioner rolls 216, 218. The croppasses between the conditioner rolls 216, 218 and is crimped. As thecrop is crimped, it is projected along a third section 712 of the flowpath towards the fluffer assembly 700.

The clockwise rotation of the fluffer assembly 700 can move the cropbetween the fluffer assembly 700 and a first portion 704 of a deflector.This portion of the deflector may be partially inclined so that the cropcan travel around the fluffer assembly 700. The deflector may include asecond section 706 that includes a decline toward the ground and in aforward direction. As shown, the deflector substantially surrounds thefluffer assembly 700 over 180° of the fluffer roll. Thus, the crop maytravel 180° or more as it is projected in a rearward direction along thethird section 712 of the flow path, but is then redirected by thedeflector along a fourth section 714 and fifth section 716 in a forwardand downward direction. As the crop travels along the fifth section 716of the flow path, it contacts the ground at a speed that promotesfluffing upon contact.

Referring to FIG. 8, an example of a fluffer roll 800 is shown that maybe used for a forward projection of the crop similar to that shown inFIG. 7. Here, the fluffer roll 800 may be formed of steel or othersuitable metal, or rubber or other desired material. Since the functionof the fluffer roll is more to move the crop compared to the impellerrolls of FIGS. 5 and 6, it is structured to be less aggressive uponcontact with the crop. The fluffer roll 800 may include an elongatedtube 802 that is rotatably driven according to any known means. Aplurality of crop moving elements 804 may be coupled to or integrallyformed with the tube 802. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 8, thecrop moving elements 804 form a C-shaped member. This, however, is notintended to be limiting. These elements may be brushes or short membersthat protrude outwardly from the tube 802. As described above, the tube802 may be formed without any crop moving elements in one embodiment.Instead, the outer surface of the tube 802 may be roughened to promotecrop movement. Thus, FIG. 8 is only one of many types of rolls and cropmoving elements that may be used for a forward crop projecting system.

As shown in the illustrated embodiments, the fluffer assembly is locatedrearwardly of the mower (e.g., cutter bar 210) and conditioning assembly214. The distance between the conditioning assembly 214 and flufferassembly, however, can vary. In one example, the distance may be definedby the rotational speed, or difference therebetween, of the conditioningassembly and fluffer assembly. In addition, the type of shielding usedmay also impact the distance between the two assemblies. If the twoassemblies are too close, there is a risk that the crop may get pluggedor damaged therebetween. If the distance is too great, the crop can losevelocity as it is projected from the conditioning assembly to thefluffer assembly, and gravity can tend to pull the crop downwardlytoward the ground and therefore entirely bypass the fluffer assembly.Thus, the distance may be desirably set such that the fluffer assemblyis spaced from the conditioning assembly so that most or all of the cropfrom the conditioning assembly is received by the fluffer assemblywithout causing a plug. Moreover, the fluffer assembly may be locatedimmediately behind the pair of rolls 216, 218, behind the rear tires, orat any location therebetween.

In one embodiment, it is desired to position the fluffer assembly as farforward as possible toward the conditioning assembly as this can reducethe weight of the forward portion of the windrower. It can also impactthe width of the windrow that is distributed on the ground. The frontaxle of the windrower is often the heaviest end thereof, and it can alsobe the most rigid. Thus, a more forward positioned fluffer assembly canprovide a better distribution of weight of the windrower.

In another example, however, it may be desirable to position the flufferassembly as close to the front axle as possible so that the windrow maybe distributed on the ground behind the front wheels. This reduces oreliminates the chance that the front wheels contact the windrow. In thisembodiment, a second auger or outwardly projecting device may beincorporated between the conditioning assembly and fluffer assembly toensure most or all of the crop is received by the fluffer assembly. Inaddition to spreading the crop behind the front wheels in thisembodiment, the overall width of the windrow may be greater when thefluffer assembly is disposed in close proximity to the front axle of thewindrower. The resulting windrow is capable of being very narrow or aswide as the machine's cut width, or at any width therebetween.

Referring to FIG. 9, a further embodiment of the present disclosure isillustrated. Here, a harvesting header 900 for harvesting crop is shown.The harvesting header 900 may be a different configuration of theharvesting header 22 of FIG. 1. In particular, the harvesting header 900may include a frame 902 for supporting the remaining features of theheader. The frame 902 may be supported or coupled to a windrower 10(e.g., self-propelled windrower) or any other known agriculturalmachine. The frame 902 may include a front end 910 and a rear end 912.When coupled to an agricultural machine (not shown), the harvestingheader 900 may be moved in a work direction indicated by arrow 914 inFIG. 9.

The harvesting header 900 may include a cutter bar 904, which may besimilar to the cutter bar 210 of FIG. 2. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, thecutter bar 904 may include one or more rotary cutting discs 906. Therotary cutting discs 906 may include one or more cutting knives 908,which are rotatably driven about a cutting disc rotation axis 1012, forcutting crop as the harvesting header 900 traverses through a field.

As the crop is severed by the rotary cutting discs 906 of the cutter bar904, one or more drums 916 suspended above and coupled to the cutter bar904 assist with converging the cut crop towards the center or middle ofthe header. The one or more drums 916 may be positioned rearward of thecutting disc rotation axis 1012 as shown in FIG. 10. Thus, as the header900 is traversing in the forward work direction 914, the crop is severedby the knives 908 and received by the drums 916. The drums 916 may berotatably driven in a rotation direction to move the severed croptowards the middle as the header 900 continues moving in the workdirection 914. Although not shown, the one or more drums 916 may becoupled to and suspend downwardly from a quill assembly. In one example,each of the one or more drums 916 is rotatably driven for converging thecut crop. An engine or other power-generating device may provide thepower for rotating the one or more drums 916.

As the crop converges toward the center of the harvesting header, it isreceived by an auger or turbulence roll 918 disposed rearwardly of theone or more drums 916. The auger 918 may be an elongated drum or rollwhich includes a flighting portion 920 for further converging ordirecting the severed crop towards the center of the harvesting header900. As also shown in FIG. 9, the auger 918 may also be designed toinclude an angled portion 922 that integrally coupled or formed with theelongated drum or roll. The angled portion 922 may include sheet metal,for example, that is either integrally formed with the roll or weldedthereto. In the event the angled portion 922 is welded to the augerroll, it may then undergo a twisting or forming process by which it isbent or otherwise angled relative to the roll.

As shown in FIG. 9, the angled portion 922 is formed inwardly of thefighting portion 920 and towards a center or middle portion of the auger918. The shape or design of the angled portion 922 may be such that ithas a concave design for receiving the severed crop as it convergestowards the middle or center of the auger 918. As the severed crop isreceived by the angled portion 922, and the auger is rotatably drivenabout an auger rotation axis 1006, the angled portion 922 is able tolift or direct the severed crop in a rearward and upward direction. Inone non-limiting example, the auger 918 may lift the severed cropbetween 12-24 inches relative to the auger rotation axis 1006. Inanother non-limiting example, the severed crop may be lifted byapproximately 6-18 inches relative to the auger rotation axis 1006. Theamount or height in which the severed crop is lifted may be at leastpartially based upon the rotational speed of the auger 918 and thepattern or design of the angled portion 922.

In FIGS. 9 and 10, the harvesting header 900 may also include animpeller 924. The impeller 924 may be rotatably driven in a clockwisedirection about an impeller axis 1000. The impeller may be formed as anelongated cylindrical drum having a plurality of tines or arms 1002coupled to the drum at a radial distance from the axis 1000. As shown inFIG. 10, each of the plurality of tines 1002 may be disposedapproximately tangentially with respect to the cylindrical drum.

The impeller 924 may be coupled to the harvesting header 900 rearward ofthe auger 918. Moreover, the impeller 924 may be positioned at alocation rearwardly and upwardly from the auger 918 such that as thesevered crop is lifted rearwardly by the angled portion 922, it isreceived by the plurality of tines 1002 of the impeller 924. Inparticular, the impeller axis 1000 is shown located both rearward andupward relative to the auger rotation axis 1006. The impeller rotationaxis 1000 is thus rearward of the rotation axes of the cutting discs906, the one or more drums 916, and the auger 918.

The plurality of tines 1002 are rotatably driven about the impeller axis1000 in a clockwise direction such that the severed crop is directedaround the impeller 924. At a location above the impeller 924, theharvesting header 900 may include an impeller hood assembly 1004. Theimpeller 924 and impeller hood assembly 1004 form an impellerconditioner for conditioning the severed crop. For instance, as thesevered crop is directed around the impeller 924 by the plurality oftines 1002, the crop may engage or contact the impeller hood assembly1004.

The impeller hood assembly 1004 may include an impellor roof 1022 and adrive mechanism for moving or pivoting the impeller hood assembly 1004relative to the impeller 924. For example, the linkage may raise orlower the impeller hood assembly 1004 relative to the impeller 924.Alternatively, the impeller hood assembly 1004 may pivot relative to apivot axis 1008. As the impeller hood assembly 1004 moves or pivotsrelative to the impeller 924, an amount of friction induced on thesevered crop as it passes through a gap 1020 or space formed between theimpeller 924 and impeller hood 1022 may be adjusted. The amount offriction may be increased as the gap between the impeller 924 andimpeller hood 1022 is reduced, whereas the amount of friction may bedecreased as the gap between the impeller 924 and impeller hood 1022 isincreased. The friction induced on the severed crop may strip or removewax from the leafy portions of the crop to improve aspiration.

The impeller hood assembly 1004 may also include a swath board assembly1010 which may be adjustably positioned based on how the crop is to bedischarged rearwardly from the header 900. For example, the swath boardassembly 1010 may be adjusted such that the conditioned crop isdischarged laterally rearwardly in a direction opposite the workdirection 914. In another example, the swath board assembly 1010 may beadjusted relative to the impeller 924 such that the conditioned crop isdischarged rearwardly and downwardly toward the ground. The swath boardassembly 1010 may further be adjusted to discharge the conditioned cropbased on a desired width of a windrow. In FIG. 10, for example, theswath board assembly 1010 may include a handle 1018, a first link 1014,and a second link 1016 for adjusting the position or orientation of theswath board assembly 1010.

In an alternative embodiment, a fluffer assembly similar to the flufferassembly 220 of FIG. 2 may be disposed rearwardly of the impeller 924for fluffing the crop. The impeller 924 is configured to condition thesevered crop, which in effect is crimped such that the plant stem isbroken open to release moisture. Further, as the severed crop passesthrough the gap between the impeller and impeller hood assembly, the waxmay be partially removed from the leafy portion of the plant to help itaspirate more quickly. As described above, during fluffing, the crop isdischarged from the header or platform, contacts the ground and rests onthe ground having a height associated therewith that promotes air flowthrough the windrow. The “fluffed” crop may have a height on the groundof several inches greater than crop that is not subject to the fluffingaction, and thus it may have an appearance of being fuller than itactually is.

In a further embodiment, the impeller conditioner may be used on amower-conditioner or other platform mounted on a carrier frame andtongue that is towed through a field by a tractor or other powereddevice.

Referring now to FIG. 11, one embodiment of an impeller assembly 1100 isshown. The impeller assembly 1100 may include an elongated, cylindricaldrum or roll 1102 that forms the core of the assembly. The drum 1102 maybe coupled to or include a drive shaft 1104 for rotatably driving theimpeller assembly 1100 about a rotation axis 1114. The drive shaft 1104may include splines 1106 which may be engaged with splines of anothershaft or drive mechanism for providing power to the drive shaft 1104.

A plurality of pre-tensioned tines 1108 may be coupled to the drum 1102as shown in FIG. 11. The manner in which the plurality of tines 1108 arepre-tensioned may be conventional and is generally known in the art. Thearrangement or pattern in which the plurality of tines 1108 are coupledto the drum 1102 may be configured to optimize crop flow. For example,the plurality of tines 1108 may be disposed at different radiallocations about the drum 1102. Moreover, the plurality of tines 1108 maybe positioned about the circumference of the drum 1102 in an alternatingpattern. Any arrangement or configuration of how the plurality of tines1108 are coupled to the drum 1102 is possible in the present disclosurefor moving crop. It is only desirable for the crop to be moved by theplurality of tines 1108 in an arc-like direction around the impellerassembly 1100 and through a gap formed between the impeller assembly1100 and an impeller hood assembly such as the one shown in FIG. 10.

In FIG. 11, the plurality of tines 1108 may be coupled to the drum 1102via one or more clips 1110. A fastener may form a pivot pin 1112 forpivotally coupling each of the plurality of tines 1108 to a respectiveclip 1110. Each clip 1110 may be mechanically fastened to the drum 1102.Alternatively, each clip 1110 may be welded to the drum 1102. In afurther example, each clip 1110 may be integrally formed with or coupledto the drum 1102 in any known manner. Thus, each of the plurality oftines 1108 may pivot relative to the drum 1102 relative to a pivot axisdefined by each pivot pin 1112. In a rest position, the plurality oftines 1108 may contact or rest against an outer surface of the drum1102.

The impeller assembly 1100 of FIG. 11 is only one example of an impellerof the present disclosure. However, any known impeller with differenttines or manner in which the tines are coupled to the impeller may beutilized for conditioning the severed crop.

While this disclosure has been described with respect to at least oneembodiment, the present disclosure can be further modified within thespirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is thereforeintended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the disclosureusing its general principles. Further, this application is intended tocover such departures from the present disclosure as come within knownor customary practice in the art to which this disclosure pertains andwhich fall within the limits of the appended claims.

1. A harvesting header of an agricultural machine, comprising: a frame;a cutting mechanism coupled to the frame and configured to cut crop; anauger rotatably coupled to the frame at a location rearward of thecutting mechanism; and an impeller rotatably coupled to the frame at alocation rearward of the auger, the impeller configured to receive cropdirectly from the auger and condition the cut crop; wherein, crop isprojected by the auger in a rearward and upward direction relative tothe impeller.
 2. The harvesting header of claim 1, wherein the impellercomprises an elongated drum and a plurality of tines, where theplurality of tines are coupled to the drum.
 3. The harvesting header ofclaim 2, wherein each of the plurality of tines are pivotally coupled tothe drum via a clip.
 4. The harvesting header of claim 1, furthercomprising a hood assembly disposed at least partially above and spacedfrom the impeller to define a gap therebetween.
 5. The harvesting headerof claim 4, wherein the hood assembly is operably movable relative tothe impeller to increase or decrease a size of the gap.
 6. Theharvesting header of claim 5, wherein the hood assembly is pivotableabout a pivot axis relative to the impeller to increase or decrease thesize of the gap.
 7. The harvesting header of claim 4, wherein the hoodassembly comprises a swath board assembly for directing the crop in arearward direction relative to the impeller.
 8. The harvesting header ofclaim 1, further comprising at least one or more drums coupled to theframe and suspended at least partially above and rearward of the cuttingmechanism, the one or more drums configured to move cut crop from thecutting mechanism inwardly and rearwardly to the auger.
 9. Theharvesting header of claim 1, wherein the auger is rotatably drivenabout an auger axis and the impeller is rotatably driven about animpeller axis, where the impeller axis is located rearward of augeraxis.
 10. The harvesting header of claim 9, wherein the impeller axis islocated above the auger axis.
 11. The harvesting header of claim 1,wherein the auger comprises an elongated cylindrical roll including afighting portion and an angled portion, the fighting portion configuredto move cut crop to a center portion of the roll and the angled portionis configured to move the cut crop upwardly towards the impeller. 12.The harvesting header of claim 11, wherein the angled portion is locatedinwardly of the fighting portion along the roll.
 13. The harvestingheader of claim 1, further comprising a fluffer assembly locatedrearwardly of the impeller.
 14. The harvesting header of claim 1,wherein the impeller is positioned directly rearward of the auger. 15.An agricultural machine, comprising: a windrower configured to be towedthrough a field; a harvesting header coupled to the windrower, theharvesting header including a frame and a cutting mechanism coupled tothe frame for cutting crop; an auger rotatably coupled to the frame at alocation rearward of the cutting mechanism; and an impeller rotatablycoupled to the frame at a location rearward of the auger, the impellerconfigured to receive cut crop from the auger and condition the cutcrop; wherein, the auger operably directs cut crop in a rearward andupward direction relative to the impeller.
 16. The agricultural machineof claim 15, wherein the impeller comprises an elongated drum and aplurality of tines, where the plurality of tines are coupled to thedrum.
 17. The agricultural machine of claim 15, further comprising ahood assembly disposed at least partially above and spaced from theimpeller to define a gap therebetween.
 18. The agricultural machine ofclaim 15, wherein the auger is rotatably driven about an auger axis andthe impeller is rotatably driven about an impeller axis, where theimpeller axis is located rearward of auger axis.
 19. The agriculturalmachine of claim 15, wherein the auger comprises an elongatedcylindrical roll including a flighting portion and an angled portion,the fighting portion configured to move cut crop to a center portion ofthe roll and the angled portion configured to move the cut crop upwardlytowards the impeller.
 20. A method of conditioning crop during a cropcutting operation, comprising: providing a windrower or carrier frameand tongue assembly including a cutting mechanism, an auger, animpeller, and an impeller hood assembly; travelling in a work directionalong an underlying surface and cutting crop with the cutting mechanism;moving the cut crop from the cutting mechanism inwardly and rearwardlyby the auger; projecting the cut crop upwardly via the auger to theimpeller; directing the cut crop through a gap defined between theimpeller and the impeller hood assembly; and conditioning the crop as itpasses through the gap.